Before your Punta Arenas Magdalena Island tour

The Strait of Magellan is open water, and the wind decides whether a small boat sails. Our booking page attaches a weather clause to every departure, and the tourism board reminds visitors that the strait is cold and wind-swept.¹ The catamaran from Muelle Prat lists gales and an unusually low tide among the things that can alter or stop a sailing, and then lets you rebook or take your money back straight away.

Your best protection is in the booking terms and your calendar. You can secure a place on our trip now, pay later, and still get all your money back if you cancel 24 hours or more before it leaves. Book an early day of your stay, so a cancelled sailing leaves you spare mornings, and keep the last day before a flight free of anything that depends on the sea.

If the boat cannot sail, ask the operator before you accept a refund. A later slot that day or the next morning may still have seats, and the operator's own page says the route, and whether Marta Island is visited, depend on the conditions of the day.⁴ A partial trip in rough water can mean Magdalena without Marta, which still gives you the penguins.

Plan on 120 minutes at sea across the whole outing, with 50 going out, 25 between the islands and 45 coming home. For most of that time you are on the open strait, and when the wind blows the boat rolls. Anyone who suffers on boats should take a trusted travel-sickness remedy ahead of boarding, as the label or a pharmacist directs.

On board, sit low and near the middle, where the motion is gentlest, and keep your eyes on the horizon. Fresh air helps, so step out on deck when the crew allows it, dressed for the wind. The operator serves coffee, tea and cookies; something plain in the stomach is better than nothing or a heavy breakfast.¹³

The company picks the vessel for each sailing by timetable and bookings, and its catamarans seat 80 or 120 people.^14,15 You will not choose your vessel, but you can choose your seat. Ask the crew where the ride is calmest; the operator runs departures daily in season.¹³ If you feel unwell, tell the guide early, since a seat by the door or on the open deck can make the rest of the crossing easier.

Boats may land every day of the week this season, opening on 15 October 2026 and closing after 31 March 2027.²⁷ Chile Travel advises booking well in advance, since daily visitor places are limited, and reminds you that only a maritime tour registered with Sernatur can take you there.^28,29 Booking through a listing with free cancellation lets you secure a place early without locking in your plans.

On the day, show your booking at the Jose Nogueira 1255 office and be there 10 minutes ahead of departure. Some other Magdalena listings ask for passport details at booking, so keep your passport number at hand when you reserve. Carry some Chilean pesos in case the park fee is collected separately; small notes make any payment on the day simpler.³⁰

The checklist below covers the essentials for the morning of your sailing. Tick it off the night before, lay out your layers by the door, sleep early if you sail early, and let the guide do the rest. However the wind blows, the Punta Arenas Magdalena Island penguins are worth a cold morning and a careful packing list.